Raina Thiele was President Obama’s lead tribal liaison and helped organize his landmark trip to Alaska in 2015.
Federal Government
Key federal fisheries advisory panel loses Alaska Native voice
The blowback of Hayden’s ouster was immediate, especially among stakeholders advocating for Indigenous voices in fisheries management.
Savoonga woman to join White House council on environmental justice
Viola Waghiyi of Savoonga is one of the 26 members chosen for a new White House advisory council on environmental justice.
Gov. Dunleavy announces national ads to support Alaska tourism, says state in ‘death grapple’ with CDC
Dunleavy signed a resolution asking Congress and President Biden to exempt Alaska from a federal law that requires cruise ships headed to Alaska to stop in Canada.
Feds settle with environmentalists over Tongass lawsuit costs
But a federal judge agreed with the plaintiffs who argued that the federal agency didn’t follow the law when it approved the timber sales, because it hadn’t provided site-specific information on areas that could be logged.
Hilcorp ordered to replace gas pipeline with history of leaks
The last time the pipe leaked, in 2017, Hilcorp didn’t complete repairs for three months, citing danger from ice in the inlet.
Dunleavy’s $70M cut to University of Alaska could cost the state $130M in federal pandemic funds
The state may not be able to collect a third of the pandemic relief bill’s school funding for Alaska due to the steep pre-pandemic budget cuts imposed on the university.
In letter to White House, Gov. Dunleavy cites $3 billion loss to Alaska from no cruise ship season
Commerce Commissioner Julie Anderson said she’s spoken to cruise industry members who said there still could be Alaska cruises in August or September.
In a win for Alaska tribes, Biden admin nixes plan to sell National Archives building in Seattle
In a win for Alaska tribes, the Biden Administration has cancelled the sale of a National Archives building in Seattle, citing a lack of tribal consultation.
Domestic violence shelters face ‘terrible choices’ from looming federal cuts
Domestic violence shelters around the country are preparing for a large decrease in federal funding that will take effect in a few months. Tundra Women’s Coalition in Bethel said that it will mean a 20% cut in its operating budget and could lead to a significant loss in services.